Boys & Girls Clubs to honor Cucuzzella, 2 others

MARTINSBURG – The Jefferson County family physician who also mentors young people interested in physical fitness is set to be honored next week along with two other Eastern Panhandle leaders.

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella along with Dr. Lisa Dunn Poland, a dentist and Jeffeson County native and Morgan County’s Tom Seely have been named the 2014 Boys & Girls Club Champions for Youth. The three will be recognized at a dinner May 1 in Martinsburg.

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella

Cucuzzella, a Maryland native who is a professor at the West Virginia University School of Medicine, practices with University Healthcare Physicians at Harpers Ferry Family Medicine.

A nationally acclaimed runner and co-founder of Freedom’s Run, he shares his passion for running and fitness with local youth by hosting running clinics designed for children. In addition to fitness and exercise, he also focuses on nutrition and healthy eating habits for kids and people of all ages.

Poland, an assistant clinical professor at the WVU School of Dentistry, is the director of dental health programs for the WVU Health Sciences Center Eastern Division.

She was instrumental in establishing a school-based dental program in the Eastern Panhandle that provides preventive dental for qualified children while they attend public school.

The program is available for children ages 4-21 who are enrolled in the West Virginia CHIP or Medicaid program and do not have a dental home.

Seely was instrumental in establishing the Boys & Girls Club in Morgan County in 1996. With funding provided by the Seely Foundation, the youth in Morgan County have had a safe haven for after school activities for many years.

Most recently, the Seely Foundation provided funding to assist with the Morgan Club’s to move to their current expanded location.

The dinner begins at 6:30 pm at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg. Sponsorships are available for $250, $500, $750, $1,000 and $2,500.

Individual tickets may also be purchased for $50 at any Boys & Girls Club location in the Eastern Panhandle or from any member of the board of directors. To reserve a seat or get more information, call the Charles Town Boys & Girls Club at 304-728-3143.